The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has referred several investigations, valued at R2.7 billion, to court in the 2017/18 financial year, the organisation said on Wednesday.
This is one of the achievements highlighted by the organisation in its 2017/18 annual report. The SIU obtained an unqualified audit report for the year under review.
“This year, the SIU met eight out of its nine targets and concluded 15 comprehensive investigations,” SIU spokesperson Nazreen Pandor said.
She said the investigation reports had been submitted to the Presidency, as required by the SIU Act. These reports detail findings and recommendations in various state institutions and entities.
“This achievement resulted in the SIU exceeding its target of completed investigations by 88%, an increase from last year where six reports were submitted to the Presidency.
“As such, SIU management remains committed to ensuring that investigation turnaround times and the completion and submission of reports to Presidency continue to improve,” she said.
The SIU is mandated to investigate serious malpractices or maladministration relating to State institutions, State assets and public money, and probes any conduct which may seriously harm the interests of the public. The organisation also establishes a special tribunal to hear civil matters.
Working with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and in keeping with section 2 of the SIU Act to establish a Special Tribunal, efforts are underway by the department to ensure that the Special Tribunal is fully operational in the 2018/2019 financial year, with a sufficient budget for the required infrastructure.
“The year under review also saw further strengthened collaboration between the SIU and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), with 148 matters being referred for criminal prosecution, ensuring that the SIU exceeded its target to refer criminal matters by 97%,” Pandor said.
In order to ensure that this target is not only met but significantly exceeded, the SIU and the NPA have agreed that they will develop a Prosecution Policy, which will be signed by the Minister of Justice.
Pandor said the policy will guide the prosecution of matters referred to the NPA by the SIU. “The SIU and the NPA will continue to monitor these in terms of the signed Memorandum of Understanding.”
SIU head Advocate Mothibi said the organisation was proud of the clean audit, as it gave them impetus in the continued fight against corruption.
“The new SIU strategy, which has been adopted for the 2018/19 financial year, will also place a premium on the impact of the SIU’s work,” he said.
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Advocate Masutha has congratulated the SIU on its achievement. – SAnews.gov.za
